Reports: Real Madrid fans want Neymar to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at the club
According to reports in the Spanish media, 80% of Real Madrid fans would swap out Cristiano Ronaldo in place of mercurial Barcelona forward, Neymar. Ronaldo – who earlier this season surpassed Raul to become Real Madrid's all-time top scorer – doesn't seem to have the trust of his own fans anymore.
Respected Cadena Ser journalist, Jesus Gallego, claimed that in the survey he conducted with plenty of Real Madrid fans, they all wanted the Brazilian to take over the reign as the next Galactico – replacing the current world-record beating Cristiano Ronaldo.
Having failed to score against bigger oppositions like Valencia, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, many believe Ronaldo is past his prime; able to score screamers and scorchers against the smaller teams but unable to influence the bigger matches on a regular level. It is with this thought that Madristas believe that Neymar is the heir to the throne at the Santiago Bernabeu.
While Ronaldo has scored 32 goals in 31 appearances for the Los Blancos, Neymar has only managed to score 22 in the three competitions the Catalans have been a part of. But with age on his side, Neymar – only 24 – is seen as a long-term replacement and one could grow into the role just as Ronaldo did when he joined Madrid from English giants, Manchester United.
On the topic of winning the world's top silverware, Neymar has a higher chance of doing so having already amassed a decent total in the recent FIFA Ballon d'Or award ceremony.
#BallondOr results breakdown:#Messi - 41.33%#Cristiano - 27.76%#Neymar - 7.86% pic.twitter.com/1USr5Zls3R
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) January 11, 2016
Real Madrid and Ronaldo now have the daunting task of taking on AS Roma in the Champions League tonight. Ronaldo has already scored 11 goals this season and could very well reach his all-time best.